Bountyhuntr

And just to add regarding biometric data; my girlfriend brought her passport photo but told it wasn't needed and they took her photo there and then. So for anyone taking photos before the appointment at Trendy, it is not needed.

Thanks Jipp, I thought about that, be it late.

My girlfriend collected the visa this morning so all good news on that front.

One question, do they normally stamp the date on the visa as the date you "planned" to travel? I asked my girlfriend to ask at VFS interview if we could ask for an earlier date if was possible (like from date of visa issue) but I think she forgot to ask.

First of all well done with the visa, hope you have a good trip.

On the second point, they used to date the visa from the day they were processed unless the applicant asked for it to be posted dated, that meant that you could travel straight away but if you'd applied earlier than your date of intended travel, you effectively lost up to a couple of months use.

They now seem to date the visa from the declared date of travel, whilst that's good you lose any flexibility if you wish to bring forward your travel plans.

To be quite honest, even if your girlfriend had mentioned that she might want to travel earlier, I doubt if they would have done anything. All the staff do is collate the documents and forward them to the UKVI for processing, they certainly don't/shouldn't interview applicants. If it happens again, just include a note to the ECO, and make sure it's highlighted.

Have a great trip.

Thanks for all the help, oldgit. I followed your post on my original topic when providing the documents, wealth of knowledge there, many thanks!

My girlfriend collected the visa this morning so all good news on that front.

One question, do they normally stamp the date on the visa as the date you "planned" to travel? I asked my girlfriend to ask at VFS interview if we could ask for an earlier date if was possible (like from date of visa issue) but I think she forgot to ask.

Thanks for help as always everyone.

Ok thanks guys.

Am I right in thinking "after 2 worknig days" would mean Tuesday?

p.s oldgit you are a star.

I got the automatic email on Wednesday, which said "two days" but later on that day I got an SMS from VFS so went to pick up my girlfriends passport the next day (Thursday).

If you get the SMS or an email from Trendy today in the next hour or so, if you have enough time left, you would be able to pick it up today. Otherwise, this weekend may drag on.

Thanks Gary. Good news for you?

If I get today I can pick up tomorrow I think.

Yeah it is like saying to a child....

I have decided if I will buy you the new toy....but I will not tell you my answer for a few days!

Ok thanks guys.

Am I right in thinking "after 2 worknig days" would mean Tuesday?

p.s oldgit you are a star.

Hi all,

Quick questions:

My girlfriend went for her visa appointment on Tuesday 10th May and we received an e-mail which states the following:

UK Visas and Immigration has made a decision on your visa application and this email explains how to collect your documents.

THAILAND APPLICANTS: documents can be collected from the Bangkok visa application centre 2 working days after you receive this email.

So am I correct in thinking we still don't know if it has been successful or not? We now have to wait 4 days until Tuesday wondering? I don't know why it wouldn't be mentioned in the e-mail.

Thanks guys.

One last question, I can request the visa to be valid fro ma different date to my planned visit date? For example, my intended travel date would be 15th May, if application is returned beofre, I can request to be issued for May 12th for example?

Yes, you can, but why would you want to?

The visas used to valid from the date they were issued, though that seems to have changed.

You are cutting it a bit fine either way, I seem to recall that your girlfriends appointment is today, the application wouldn't get to the UKVI until Monday, they have to process it, with all the others, and get it back to the VFS office.

She might be lucky - good luck.

The date of travel on the application form is estimated, there is no flights booked so it is not guaranteed. This is if I chose to go on an earlier date.

The May 12th date is an example date. I think the turn around time for receiving the visa is 99% in 10 days according to the website (I guess this means total 10 days, or if 10 working days it's still 2 weeks).

I read on the post from 7by7 that it is accepted to edit the application form after it has printed; I might add the words "baht" and the equivalent in pounds (£) for the salary part.

If your salary is in Baht, I wouldn't make the amendment on the hard copy, if your salary is in GBP you could if you wanted to.

also on the post there is a sponsorship letter, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsor-a-visa-applicant-form-su07.

Do I need to fill this in?

No, you don't, it doesn't apply in your case.

Thanks again oldgit.

The only reason for wanting to change the salary part is that it is the only part in baht with expenditure being in pounds (£) as requested in the thai translation.

One last question, I can request the visa to be valid fro ma different date to my planned visit date? For example, my intended travel date would be 15th May, if application is returned beofre, I can request to be issued for May 12th for example?

Thanks again.

Thank you for the help everyone.

I read on the post from 7by7 that it is accepted to edit the application form after it has printed; I might add the words "baht" and the equivalent in pounds (£) for the salary part.

This is ok?

Thanks again.

EDIT: also on the post there is a sponsorship letter, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsor-a-visa-applicant-form-su07.

Do I need to fill this in?

Thanks theoldgit, I meant a page that links to it when you complete the application, I didn't see a link to it when I was doing it.

I have put the income from salary in thai baht, i.e 25 000. Everything else is in pounds (£), even the expenditure because it says it thai translation it should be in pounds (£) but not in the English.

Should I write it all again or what do you think?

Thanks, I never seen this mentioned anywhere on the website? You know the url?

Also, the expenditure stated it should be in pounds (£) in the thai translation, so only salary is in thai baht. What do you think I should do? I would re-write it if I could see the previous info and copy it,

Ok thanks PeeJay,

@theoldgit could you link me to the guidance notes? I don't remember reading that part.

In thai translation where pounds (£) was not mentioned it said it should be in £. Quite a horrible application form to be honest, very poor.

Hi all,

I need one question answered if possible.

On the section for Income / Expenditure they seem to want some values in pounds (£) and where they haven't mentioned pounds there is no mention of baht either. I am thinking income and expenditure should be in baht and details about the cost of trip in pounds (£).

Thanks

Hi!

I just thought I'd give you my thoughts on your questions.

I went through the process over Christmas with my Thai gf and had no issues with the application and the Visa was granted.

Your situation mirrors mine!

It sounds like you pretty much have everything covered.

I haven't read the previous replies, so apologies if I repeat the same info.

As well as the documents you've listed, I also included letters from my employer and my gf's employer that confirmed we work for them and also which dates we'll be returning to work on. These were certified by the companies.

The bank statements I provided were not certified by the bank.

I also submitted a brief itinerary of what we planned to do, along with estimated costs. In my sponsor letter, I explained that I would be covering all costs of our activities.

Ask your mum to send you a letter of invitation to stay at the house (you are staying there, right?) and detail that there will be no charge for accommodation (if this is the case).

Do you currently rent your home here or have a mortgage in her name? Either way, it's worth submitting proof of this too, as it only strengthens the fact that you live together and need to return here.

I didn't submit any photo evidence whatsoever. I had no issues with the Visa being granted, as we demonstrated that we will be returning after a couple of weeks. As long as you do the same, and it sounds like you have, I don't think you'll have a problem.

Good luck! It's still a little nerve racking in that waiting period!

Awesome, thanks for your input Jay

Those points you made I was thinking of too!

Thanks everyone for the help, especially oldgit and 7by7!

Hopefully I can get that issue regarding bank statements confirmed before I apply.

edit: and the invite letter

First of all, and I'm going to sound pernickety here, it's your girlfriends application, she is the one that has to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer, the decision maker, that the proposed visit is genuine, affordable and that, on the balance of probabilities she will return home at the conclusion of the visit. You don't actually "obtain a visa for your girlfriend" though of course you will be part of the process.

It's not important who you address the sponsors letter, "to whom it may concern" is as good as anything. If you are sponsoring her write a short letter saying you've been living in a subsisting relationship for how many years it is, give brief details of your joint ties here, working at the same place will help, brief details of your finances, the trip including the length, including where you'll be staying, and any plans for the future, as I say make it brief.

If you're staying at your family home then submit a letter of invitation confirming that you can stay there and what accommodation is available. A copied water bill doesn't really prove anything, to be quite frank my partner has never supplied any more than a letter as I've described and she's always been successful, though I know some people like to provide a lot more.

As you say a letter from her employers giving the details of her work, how long she's been there and that she's expected to return. UKVI staff sometimes call employers to confirm the details, so if the original letter is in English they will expect to converse with the author in English. You say you work there as well, confirmation of that would help.

Original bank statements are required for both of you together with evidence of the source of the income. If you live together give evidence of your accommodation here in Thailand. Supply a copy of your passport, bio page and the pages that evidence your stay in Thailand.

From what you've described, you have joint ties here, you work and live together, you're both going to the UK for a short holiday, it is short isn't it? I don't envisage a problem.

If you've been living in a relationship akin to marriage for more than two years then she could apply for a standard visit visa as your partner, to be quite honest there is no benefit in applying as anything more than as a tourist.

As you rightly say, current UKVI guidance is not to include photographs, I suspect they've been overwhelmed over the years. I used to include a photo of my partner and I every time we travelled overseas, the same information is in our passports, so we now don't. Likewise a note from your employers would prove you work together, though many couples who don't work together still get visas.

Hi oldgit,

Thanks for your response which will be very helpful; I will follow this advice.

Yes you are quite right, I think it was poor wording on my part.

Regarding an invitation letter from my family for accommodation, this can be scanned and printed off my end in Thailand right? Should I get her to sign it also? (sorry I am most likely over-thinking it and worrying due to the trip being only 5 weeks away).

Bank statements will be printed off my online banking website here in Thailand.

That;s it, thanks again for the help, much appreciated!

Hi all,

I have a few questions in regards to obtaining a UK visa for my thai GF that need answering if possible (I can't find any similar questions/answers).

Background:

I have lived with my girlfriend in Thailand for several years and as a matter of fact we both currently work at the same IT company. We are planning to go to England for a few weeks in May while I take my exams and visit my family at the same time. So the purpose of her visit will be to accompany me to visit my family and of course see England and anywhere we decide to go in that time. She will be staying at a home my family owns and funds will be provided by me and her own funds.

Questions:

#1. Supporting letters (Sponsor or Employer letter) need to be addressed to anyone in particular? I read templates where the "British Embassy" is mentioned, however I don't think this is required?

#2 My mum has provided me with a photocopied water bill and bank statement showing the address in the UK where we will be staying, will this be sufficient to prove my GF is entitled to stay there? Also these are not original copies, but photocopies.

#3 Other than the supporting letter, 6 month bank statements and my passport as a sponsor, is there a need to provide any other documents? I see on the website it specifically states not to include photos etc, though I would like to prove we have been together for years and live together and actually work at the same company.

#4 As per the given background given above, the purpose of the visit would be tourism? I don't think visiting family/friends applies due to them being my family.

Thank you very much,

Bountyhuntr

I'm not sure I trust him 100% as bad as that sounds, that's why I asked for more information as I've never owned or purchased a vehicle here.

I said to him to go to local immigration and get proof of address instead of the rip-off British embassy but he said he only has a tourist visa so he's unable to get it. So if you're on a tourist visa there is no way of owning a

motorbike unless you pay the embassy 3000 baht?????

Ok I'll wait to se if anyone has any solid evidence of the price at the british embassy. 1500+ seems a lot to be honest, 500 is reasonable.

Thanks for the replies MadMac

Yes, I got told the certificate is thousands of baht, hence wanting to use my WP and passport. Apparently it also takes all day at mochit so an agent is being used for 500 baht??

Hi everyone,

I have been told I need my passport for verification (normal) and either a WP or a letter from embassy costing 3500 baht confirming my residential address when registering a vechile/bike?

Can someone tell me if this is true? My brother wants to register the bike in my name because he has no WP and states he doesn't want to pay 3500 at embassy for a piece of paper. Is he up to something dodgey or is it the truth? haha!

Cheers.

Thanks Tywais and ubonjoe - will see what happens.

Thanks for the reply guys.

The company is Thai owned.

What made me wonder if it was "law" was I seen the requirement of "education certificate" on many sources (doesn't explicitly say degree but is confusing).

little bit worried...